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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular reidentification of human pathogenic Trichoderma isolates as Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Trichoderma citrinoviride.

Several species of the well-known saprophytic genus Trichoderma have been identified as the cause of infections in immunosuppressed humans. Because the differentiation and identification of Trichoderma species based on morphological characters only, is very difficult, two molecular approaches were applied for species identification. Six human pathogenic Trichoderma isolates were investigated by PCR-fingerprinting and analysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences and compared with the corresponding data sets established for described species of the genus. Five of these strains were identified as T. longibrachiatum, whereas one single strain turned out to be T. citrinoviride. Both species are very closely related and belong to Trichoderma section Longibrachiatum. These data indicate that the occurrence of pathogenic Trichoderma strains may be restricted to species of section Longibrachiatum.

DNA Fingerprinting↗

Production of a monoclonal antibody specific to the genus Trichoderma and closely related fungi, and its use to detect Trichoderma spp. in naturally infested composts.

Studies of the interactions between hyperparasitic fungi and their hosts are severely hampered by the absence of methods that allow the unambiguous identification of individual genera in complex environments that contain mixed populations of fungi, such as soil or compost. This study details the development of a monoclonal antibody (MF2) that allows the detection and recovery of Trichoderma spp. in naturally infested composts, and the visualization of hyperparasitic strains of Trichoderma during antagonistic interactions with their hosts. Murine monoclonal antibody MF2, of immunoglobulin class M (IgM), was raised against a protein epitope of a glycoprotein antigen(s) specific for species of the genus Trichoderma and for the closely related fungi Gliocladium viride, Hypomyces chrysospermus, Sphaerostilbella spp. and Hypocrea spp. MF2 did not react with antigens from Gliocladium catenulatum, Gliocladium roseum, Nectria ochroleuca and Clonostachys spp., nor with a range of unrelated soil- and compost-borne fungi. Extracellular production of the MF2 antigen was constitutive. Western-blotting analysis showed that MF2 bound to a ladder of proteins with apparent molecular masses in the range 35-200 kDa. Immunofluorescence studies showed that MF2 bound strongly to the cell walls of hyphae and phialides and the intercalary and terminal chlamydospores of Trichoderma spp., whereas immunogold electron microscopy revealed strong binding of MF2 to the cell walls and septa of hyphae and to the cell walls of phialoconidia. In immunofluorescence studies of dual cultures of Trichoderma and Rhizoctonia solani, only the cell walls of the hyperparasite, which coiled around the host, were stained by MF2. The specificity of MF2 enabled the development of a combined baiting-ELISA technique for the detection of Trichoderma spp. in naturally infested composts. The specificity of this technique was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA-encoding regions of the isolates.

Antibodies, Fungal↗

In vitro studies on the potential for biological control of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium moniliforme by Trichoderma species. A study of the production of extracellular metabolites by Trichoderma species.

Culture filtrates of Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma harzianum were inhibitory of Fusarium moniliforme and, to a lesser extent, Aspergillus flavus. The degree of inhibition was, however, dependent on the carbon or nitrogen source incorporated into the medium. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the development of abnormal fruiting structures on exposure to some Trichoderma culture filtrate, while macroscopically, growth restriction and, in the case of A. flavus, altered colony colouration were observed. Based on the results of inverted colony culture, it would appear that some isolates of Trichoderma produce inhibitory volatile compounds. The production of possible antibiotics was also demonstrated. The aggressive behaviour (towards A. flavus and F. moniliforme) demonstrated by Trichoderma spp. may be partly explained by the liberation of extracellular enzymes by these fungi. An isolate of T. viride exhibited amylolytic, pectinolytic, proteolytic and cellulolytic activity. Based on the results of the present investigation, Trichoderma spp. are potential candidates for biocontrol of some mycotoxin-producing fungi, but there exists some doubt as to their osmotolerance within the air-dry seed.

Journal Article↗

Cellobiohydrolase II is the main conidial-bound cellulase in Trichoderma reesei and other Trichoderma strains.

Monoclonal antibodies have been used to determine the presence of cellobiohydrolases I and II (CBH I and II), and endoglucanase I (EG I) on the surface of conidia from Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 and RUT C-30, and 8 other Trichoderma species. For this purpose, proteins were released from the conidial surface by treatment with a non-ionic detergent (Triton X-100 and beta-octylglucoside), followed by SDS-PAGE/Western blotting and immunostaining. Both CBH I and II were clearly present, but - unlike in extracellular culture fluids from Trichoderma - CBH II was the predominant cellulase. In T. reesei EG I could not be detected. The higher producer strain T. reesei RUT C-30 exhibited a higher conidial level of CBH II than T. reesei QM 9414. In order to assess the importance of the conidial CBH II level for cellulase induction by cellulose, multiple copies of the chb2 gene were introduced into the T. reesei genome by cotransformation using PyrG as a marker. Stable multicopy transformants secreted the 2- to 4-fold level of CBH II into the culture medium when grown on lactose as a carbon source, but their CBH I secretion was unaltered. Upon growth on cellulose, both CBH I and CBH II secretion was enhanced. Those strain showing highest cellulase activity on cellulose also appeared to contain the highest level of conidial bound CBH II. CBH II was also the predominant conidial cellulase in various other Trichoderma sp. However, roughly the same amount of conidial bound CBH II was detected in all strains, although their cellulase production differed considerably.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Cellulase formation by species of Trichoderma sect. Longibrachiatum and of Hypocrea spp. with anamorphs referable to Trichoderma sect. Longibrachiatum.

The cellulolytic potential of the wild-type strain of Trichoderma reesei was compared to other members of Trichoderma sect. Longibrachiatum and Hypocrea spp. that have anamorphs referable to that section. There was high diversity even within the same species (as defined by morphological and macromolecular characters). Differences, where notable, were more pronounced for carboxymethyl-cellulase activity than for filter paper activity. High cellulase activities were observed for several strains of T. longibrachiatum and T. citrinoviride, whereas T. parceramosum formed only low levels of activity. Among the corresponding teleomorphs, most strains of H. schweinitzii were comparatively poor producers, whereas the highest percentage of high producers was found among H. jecorina isolates, and many strains were even more active than the parent T. reesei QM 6a. Immunoblot analysis of corresponding culture filtrates of various H. jecorina strains showed that the three major cellulase proteins (cellobiohydrolase I, cellobiohydrolase II, and endoglucanase I) were present in culture filtrates and their M(r) was identical to that of the respective T. reesei proteins. ELISA analysis demonstrated that these enzymes were also present in the same relative proportions in culture filtrates from H. jecorina and T. reesei. With the aid of primers, corresponding to conserved sequences in the cellobiohydrolase I-encoding gene cbh1, a fragment of this gene was amplified from selected strains of H. jecorina, T. reesei, T. longibrachiatum, T. citrinoviride, and H. schweinitzii. The fragments had the same size in all fungi. Cleavage of this fragment with Hhal produced a RFLP pattern which was identical in H. jecorina and T. reesei, but different in the other species. In the latter, the RFLP pattern was also species specific. These results provide support for a close genetic similarity of T. reesei and H. jecorina cellulases. In the latter, an ascomycetous model system for cellulase biosynthesis is now available. The results further indicate that other anamorphs of Trichoderma section Longibrachiatum are promising sources of high cellulase production.

Cellulase↗

Transformation of Trichoderma reesei with the Hormoconis resinae glucoamylase P (gamP) gene: production of a heterologous glucoamylase by Trichoderma reesei.

A cDNA encoding for the glucoamylase P enzyme (GAMP) of the fungus Hormoconis resinae was introduced into the cellulolytic filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei under the control of the promoter of the major cellulase gene (cbh1) of Trichoderma. The transforming vector plasmid used was found to be integrated into the genome of T. reesei at various locations and in multiple copies. The size of the GAMP secreted by Trichoderma varied because of different glycosylation patterns. The best transformant strains secreted about 700 mg/l of active GAMP, which is 20-fold more than obtained with H. resinae.

Blotting, Northern↗

Screening of antimicrobial activities in Trichoderma isolates representing three trichoderma sections.

Methanol extracts from 24 Trichoderma isolates, selected as biocontrol agents and representating different species and genotypes from three of the four taxonomic sections of this genus (T. sect. Trichoderma, T. sect. Pachybasium and T. sect. Longibrachiatum) were screened for antibacterial, anti-yeast and antifungal activities against a panel of seven bacteria, seven yeasts and six filamentous fungi previously used in similar studies. Two different growth media were tested (potato dextrose broth and CYS80), and all isolates included in the antimicrobial tests showed at least one inhibitory activity against one of the target microorganisms in one of the two culture media. No statistically significant differences were detected in the number of active strains between the two culture media, but the highest number of inhibitory strains against bacteria and fungi were found in strains from Trichoderma sect. Pachybasium, whereas strains from T. sect. Longibrachiatum showed the highest anti-yeast values. In all cases, a correlation was found between the strains that were active against yeasts and fungi. However, some degree of variability was detected for strains within the same taxonomic section. In general terms, strains from T. asperellum (mainly in CYS80 medium), and T. longibrachiatum gave the best non-enzymatic antimicrobial profiles.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting identifies subgroups of Trichoderma viride and other Trichoderma sp. capable of chestnut blight biocontrol.

Eleven strains of Trichoderma viride, 2 strains of the putative teleomorph Hypocrea rufa and 9 of several other Trichoderma sp. were characterized by random polymorphic DNA amplification (RAPD) fingerprinting and screened for their ability to antagonize growth of European strains of the chestnut blight causing fungus Cryphonectria parasitica, using a dual-culture assay. The best strains were found in the species T. harzianum, T. parceramosum, a distinguishable subgroup of T. viride and a not named Trichoderma sp. The successful application of these strains against chestnut blight in vivo is demonstrated.

Base Sequence↗

Assignment of a PCR-amplified chitinase sequence cloned from Trichoderma hamatum to resolved chromosomes of potential biocontrol species of Trichoderma.

A 1424 bp DNA sequence containing the genetic determinants of the chitinase enzyme was identified in Trichoderma humatum by PCR amplification. High levels of similarity were observed between this sequence, named Th-ch (T. hamatum chitinase), and the 42 kDa chitinase genes known from T. harzianum. Chromosome-sized DNAs of five potential biocontrol species of Trichoderma were separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The total number of chromosomes was six in all the species, with sizes ranging from 3.7 to 7.7 Mb; estimated genome sizes were between 30.5 and 35.8 Mb. When fractionated chromosomes of the five species were probed with radiolabelled Th-ch, strong hybridization signals developed in all cases, but the physical position of these signals varied among species indicating a polymorphic chromosomal location of the highly conserved 42 kDa chitinase gene within the genus Trichoderma.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enzyme diffusion from Trichoderma atroviride (= T. harzianum P1) to Rhizoctonia solani is a prerequisite for triggering of Trichoderma ech42 gene expression before mycoparasitic contact.

A plate confrontation experiment is commonly used to study the mechanism by which Trichoderma spp. antagonize and parasitize other fungi. Previous work with chitinase gene expression (ech42) during the precontact period of this process in which cellophane and dialysis membranes separated Trichoderma harzianum and its host Rhizoctonia solani resulted in essentially opposite results. Here, we show that cellophane membranes are permeable to proteins up to at least 90 kDa in size but that dialysis membranes are not. ech42 was expressed during the precontact stage of the confrontation between Trichoderma atroviride and its host only if the cellophane was placed between the two fungi. These results are consistent with enzyme diffusion from T. atroviride to R. solani generating the trigger of ech42 gene expression.

Cellophane↗

[Carboxylic proteinases from the microscopic fungi Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma lignorum].

Using ion-exchange chromatography on aminosilochrome and biospecific chromatography on Bacitracin-Sepharose, the carboxylic proteinases have been isolated for the first time from the microscopic fungi of the Trichoderma genus -- Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma lignorum, commonly used to produce cellulases. The proteinases are stable within the pH range of 3 to 6; pI is 4,3 and 4,5, the pH optimum -- 2,3 and 2,8, respectively. The molecular weight of the enzymes is 32000, the amino acid composition of T. viride proteinase is Lys5His2Arg6Asx27Thr39Ser38Glx27Pro13..Gly41Ala28Cys2Val37Ile11Leu17Tyr13Phe11Trp3, that of T. lignorum is Lys9His4Arg6Asx36Thr26Ser46Glx25Pro14Gly35Ala23Cys2Val28Ile26Leu19Tyr12..Phe14Trp4. Both enzymes are completely inactivated by specific inhibitors of carboxylic proteinase, i. e. pepstatin, diazoacetyl-D,L-norvaline methylester and N-diazoacetyl-N'-2,4-dinitrophenylethylenediamine. The molecular and enzymatic properties of the proteinases under study are close to those of carboxylic proteinases of microscopic fungi and in a lesser degree to those of porcine pepsin.

Amino Acids↗

Extracellular laccases in ascomycetes Trichoderma atroviride and Trichoderma harzianum.

Laccase activity in Trichoderma harzianum and in our own isolate Trichoderma atroviride was correlated with the production of the green pigment in conidial spores. The laccases of the two fungal species exhibit comparable kinetic parameters, pH optima and thermal sensitivity but differed in physiological properties, such as their catalytic activity during growth.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

Improved production of Trichoderma harzianum endochitinase by expression in Trichoderma reesei.

The chromosomal endochitinase gene (ThEn-42) of the mycoparasite fungus Trichoderma harzianum P1 was isolated and overexpressed in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei under the promoter of the major cellulase gene cbhl1. The host strain RutC-30 did not produce any endogenous endochitinase activity. The prepro region of the T harzianum endochitinase was correctly processed in T. reesei. No differences in expression were observed when the prepro region was replaced with the CBHI signal sequence. Shake flask cultivation yielded 130 mg of active enzyme per liter, which in terms of activity represents about a 20-fold increase over the endochitinase activity produced by T. harzianum. The presence of multiple copies of the expression cassette in the transformant resulted in limitation in transcription and/or regulation factors needed for full activity of the cbh1 promoter, although this was not the major limiting factor for higher expression of endochitinase. The endochitinase was very sensitive to an acidic protease at the late stages of T. reesei cultivation. T. reesei RutC-30 appeared to be tolerant of the endochitinase and can be used as a production host for this enzyme, which has antifungal activity toward plant pathogens.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Expression of Trichoderma reesei and Trichoderma viride xylanases in Escherichia coli.

Synthetic genes encoding the 190 amino acid Trichoderma reesei xylanase II (TrX) and the closely related Trichoderma viride xylanases have been synthesized in a two-step procedure. Initially, a partial gene encoding amino acids 92-190 was constructed in fusion with the N-terminal half of the Bacillus circulans xylanase (BcX). The remaining BcX gene sequence was replaced during the assembly of the coding sequence for amino acids 1-91. Expression of the synthetic genes in Escherichia coli yielded recombinant xylanases with specific activity generally identical with the natural TrX. However, the recombinant TrX showed thermostability and temperature optimum lower than those of the natural TrX, thus indicating that the posttranslational modifications of the latter in its fungal host are essential to its greater stability. A mutation N19K further decreased the thermostability of the recombinant TrX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biological control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacking soybean plants. Degradation of the cell walls of this pathogen by Trichoderma harzianum (BAFC 742). Biological control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by Trichoderma harzianum.

Two experiments of biological control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, one in the greenhouse and the other in the field, were carried out with soybean and Trichoderma harzianum as host and antagonist, respectively. Significant control of disease was achieved in both experiments, but there were no significant differences in plant growths. In the greenhouse, the application of T. harzianum as alginate capsules, increased the survival of soybean plants more than 100% with respect to the disease treatment. In the field, T. harzianum treated plants survived 40% more than those from the disease treatment, showing a similar survival level to control plants. Besides, a significant reduction (62.5%) in the number of germinated sclerotia was observed in the Trichoderma treated plot. Chitinase and 1,3-beta- glucanase activities were detected when T. harzianum was grown in a medium containing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum cell walls as sole carbon source. In addition, electrophoretic profiles of proteins induced in T. harzianum showed quantitative differences between major bands obtained in the media induced by S. sclerotiorum cell walls and that containing glucose as a sole carbon source.

Journal Article↗

Enhanced Expression of Endochitinase in Trichoderma harzianum with the cbh1 Promoter of Trichoderma reesei.

Production of extracellular endochitinase could be increased 5-fold in the mycoparasite fungus Trichoderma harzianum by using the cellulase promoter cbh1 of Trichoderma reesei, whereas the total endochitinase activity increased 10-fold. The cbh1 promoter was not expressed on glucose and sucrose in T. harzianum and was induced by sophorose and on cellulase-inducing medium. The endogenous endochitinase gene was expressed at a low basal level on glucose and sucrose. No specific induction by crab shell chitin or sophorose was observed.

Journal Article↗

[Detection of transglycosylation reactions under the influence of Trichoderma koningii and Trichoderma viride cellulase].

The transglycosylation reactions catalyzed by the low molecular weight endo-beta-1,4-glucanase from the cellulase complex of Trichoderma koningii as well as unseparated complexes from Tr. koningii and Tr. viride were investigated. The products obtained from the mixture of cellodextrine (donor, 0.5%) and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (acceptor, 0.4%) with the aid of the above enzymes were analyzed. Transglycosylation products were separated by Sephadex G-15 gel-filtration. In all the three cases the highest molecular weight p-nitrophenyl glycosides of oligosaccharides (with a molecular weight of over 1500) were first synthesized and then hydrolyzed. At the beginning of the reaction the amount of p-nitrophenyl glycosides of oligosaccharides synthesized was greater than that of the reducing groups measured according to Nelson. Addition of p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside to cellodextrine did not influence the rate with which the latter was hydrolyzed by endoglucanase.

Cellulase↗